Zachary Craig Koughan Obituary (1981 - 2009)

Zachary Craig Koughan "Zach" was born on November 16,1981 in Livermore, Calif. He was immediately loved and adopted by his mother Linda Craig Koughan and her husband Roger John Koughan. He was a happy baby who was soon joined for life by his sister Kara Crystal Koughan. Since he was just two months older than her (to the day) he became a big and protective brother who took this privilege seriously from a very early age. He moved with his mother Linda and Kara to Wickenburg when he was 21/2 and lived at Rancho Casitas with his beloved grandmother Louise Craig until the family of three found their own home. He participated in all the youth sports and excelled in football, wrestling, golf and track in High School. He was a four sport varsity letterman and an athletic scholar who went to Australia to play football at the Crocodile Bowl in Townsville against the North Queensland Cowboys, a professional rugby team. He ended his career at WHS as second team all conference center and Offensive Linemen of the year. Zach went on to the University of Nevada at Reno and spent three years on several majors. Most important to him he became a Phi Delta Theta brother sharing in fraternity and making friends that were life long. When he returned to AZ he attended UTI and graduated with an AA degree in Diesel Engineering. During this time he shared a deep and abiding love with Amberley Barteau. His last summer on earth was spent in Canada at the Strathcona Survival lodge where he participated in logging, maintenance and diesel repair. In a short period of five months Zach realized friendships with young people of international origin and shared hearts desires. He developed a deep and unfinished relationship with David Boulding who taught him survival in the work place, introduced him to survival on 'the edge' and his newly beloved fly fishing. Zach shared his last months with John Shipman his life-long friend, who became a deeply personal support for him and his mother and sister Kara. He had just completed his CDL to assist in job placement as a Diesel Mechanic. Zachary left family members: Terry and Peggy Craig, Lori and Ernie Jones and their children: Britt, Cody and Christy. Mark Craig and his son Chad. Cathy and Mike Billingsley and their children Michael and Jody. Zachary left a horrendous void and a shattering fracture in the hearts of his sister Kara Crystal Koughan and his eternally loving mother Linda Craig Koughan. Please feel free to leave remembrances if you wish and to view the brief life of Zachary Craig Koughan from our perspective - you are also free to add pictures of your liking. You all know we have great love for you and the joy that you shared in Zach's life. There will be an Irish Wake and gathering at Box Canyon in Wickenburg Saturday, December 5th at 1:00 PM